Our journey began not in Georgia, but far away in Sweden — where compassion and expertise joined hands in a mission that would transform thousands of lives across borders. In 2005, two Swedish audiologists, Karl-Erik Spens and Helen Lanzer-Sillen, representing the Stockholm Association of Hearing-Impaired People, teamed up with Lela Nozadze in Tbilisi. Their goal was simple, yet extraordinary in its impact: to improve hearing health in Georgia by providing essential screenings, care, and hearing aids to those who had been silently suffering.

What started as a single visit soon evolved into a purpose-driven movement. The early days were humbling — small teams, modest resources, and countless unknown challenges ahead. But the determination to make a difference fueled every step. The mission expanded from the capital city into regional districts, crossing mountains, classrooms, and communities that had limited or no access to audiological services. Each new milestone strengthened the belief that hearing health must never be a privilege — it is a fundamental right.

15 successful projects later, our mission stands as a testament to perseverance and partnership:
•⁠ ⁠14,000+ children and adults screened
•⁠ ⁠1,400+ hearing aids provided
•⁠ ⁠First-ever data established on hearing loss prevalence among Georgian children — a breakthrough in national healthcare insight and policy direction

These achievements were not just numbers — they were voices restored, confidence rediscovered, childhoods reclaimed, and connections rebuilt within families and society.

Stepping Into the Mission

My personal involvement in this journey began during the most recent missions — Kutaisi (2023), Gori and Zugdidi (2024) — where I had the honour of coordinating the projects. It was here that I truly understood what this work meant beyond clinical terms.

I met children who had never heard their mother’s voice clearly and adults who had slowly withdrawn from communication because silence felt easier than misunderstanding. I saw tears of relief when parents received answers they had sought for years. I saw laughter return to someone who thought the world had forgotten them.

These moments taught me that we are not just restoring hearing — we are restoring hope.

Breaking Barriers, Changing Mindsets

The road was not easy. In the early years, hearing loss was a topic wrapped in stigma and silence. Many families avoided screenings, afraid of judgment or misunderstanding. Schools hesitated, unsure how to approach the subject. Adults often feel ashamed of wearing hearing aids.

But compassion creates trust.

As families saw the transformation in their children, as adults experienced newfound independence, perceptions gradually shifted. Communities began welcoming our team with open arms. Teachers became supporters. Parents became advocates.

The narrative changed — from hesitation to awareness, from stigma to empowerment. And although there is still a long way to go, progress is now visible and irreversible.

A New Chapter: Building a Permanent Home for Hearing Care

These experiences sparked a powerful idea:
What if this mission could continue every day, not just through periodic projects?

This led to the birth of our vision — establishing a Georgian-Swedish Audiology Clinic where world-class care meets compassion and accessibility. A place where patients receive:

•⁠ ⁠Comprehensive ENT and audiology services
•⁠ ⁠⁠Hearing aid fittings, programming, and rehabilitation
•⁠ ⁠⁠Long-term support and awareness programs

This clinic is designed not as a commercial center alone, but as a hub of empathy, research, innovation, and education.

Today, we stand proud to operate a facility that reflects exactly what we practised during our field missions — quality, care, comfort, and dignity for every patient.

Empowering the Future — One Child at a Time

Since the beginning of our work, our team has championed newborn hearing screenings, inspired by global medical standards and Sweden’s successful healthcare model. Early detection changes outcomes — academically, socially, and emotionally. A child who hears well learns better, communicates better, and grows with greater confidence.

Now, our next step is bold and necessary:

Bringing hearing screening programs into schools across Georgia
This ensures that every child, irrespective of background or location, gets an equal opportunity for early intervention and a brighter future.

Voices Amplified Through Awareness

We know that medical work alone is not enough. Awareness shapes society.

Our social media and public education initiatives are set to grow significantly, focusing on:
•⁠ ⁠Encouraging parents to monitor hearing development early
•⁠ ⁠⁠Breaking social stigmas around hearing aids
•⁠ ⁠⁠Empowering children and adults to seek help without fear
•⁠ ⁠⁠Educating teachers, caregivers, and communities

Every shared story inspires another family to step forward. Every voice that speaks out helps silence the stigma.

Looking Ahead — A Mission Without Borders

As we build for tomorrow, our future ambitions are clear and purposeful:

Medical & Social Goals
•⁠ ⁠⁠Expand services to underserved regions
•⁠ ⁠⁠Increase community-based screening campaigns
•⁠ ⁠⁠Build more regional branches of the audiology clinic
•⁠ ⁠⁠Strengthen professional training programs within Georgia

Educational Goals
•⁠ ⁠Collaborate with universities to advance audiology studies
•⁠ ⁠⁠Train future specialists and strengthen national expertise
•⁠ ⁠⁠Develop school-based awareness and screening networks

Commercial Sustainability
•⁠ ⁠⁠Offer advanced hearing technologies with responsible pricing
•⁠ ⁠⁠Build partnerships that allow us to serve both regular and socially supported patients
•⁠ ⁠⁠Reinforce a model where commercial success supports social impact

Our guiding belief remains unchanged:

“Every human has the right to hear, to communicate, and to belong.”

The Heart of Our Story

What began in 2005 as a compassionate gesture from two Swedish professionals has now grown into a national mission — powered by international collaboration, scientific knowledge, and human empathy.

From silent struggles to joyful discoveries…
From scepticism to trust…
From temporary projects to a permanent movement…

This journey has been about changing not just ears — but lives, families, and futures.

And we are only getting started.

One sound.
One life.
One story at a time.